Wheel balance testing machine



I 39,. a. HANSON 2.1 73

\ WHEEL BALANCE TESTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1936 5- Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. EDWARD HANS D N Oct. 24, 1939. I E. HANSON 2,177,252

' WKEEL BALANCE TESTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. EDWARD HANS UN ATTORNEY.

Oct 24, 1939. E. HANSON WHEEL BALANCE TESTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28,1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 LE I Oct. 24-, 1939. v E, HANSON 2,177,252

WHEEL BALANCE TESTING MACHINE Filed D80. 28, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledDec. 28, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. EDWARD HANS E] N.

6. fivdtr ATTORNEY.

@ rsanaaoazeiass UNlTED s'rA'rEsPATENr OFFICE g e a 2,111.25: I I

wnauamca'rns'r fi name Hanson, Cleveland, Ohio, amt. a

, David A. Davies, Cleveland, Ohio Application December as, an,SerlalNo. 11'I,957

lzclaims.

This invention relates to a machine for testing bodies that are round orof annular shape to determine whether all portions thereof are uniformlybalanced, more particularly bodies which in use aredrivenat relativelyhigh speeds. For illustrative purposes one embodiment of the inventionherein shown is adapted for demonstrating therunning or rotatablecharacteristics of a wheel when balanced and unbalanced; and anotherembodiment herein shown is adapted to removably. support a vehiclewheel, whereby the wheel may be operated tmdetermine whether it isuniformly balanced, the latter embodiment also being adapted for use inremoving and relq placing tires on vehicle wheels. In the latterillustrated embodiment and a modification thereof I have shown anautomobile wheel since I have, by preference, adapted the invention tosuch application; however the illustrations of a wheel and the use ofthe term wheel herein are for purposes of description and are notintended as limitations of the invention, as the latter maybe adapted torotatable bodies used for other purposes.

5 One object of'the invention is to provide an improved machine whichmay be used to demonstrate the running or rotating characteristics of ahody'when in balanced and unbalanced condition-and/or used to determinewhether such a body is balanced or unbalanced.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine havinga movably mounted wheel support capable of responding to any vibrationsof the wheel when rotated due to centrifugal forces resulting from anyunbalanced portion of the wheel. 7

Alother object of the invention is to provide an improved machine havinga wheel support movably mounted to respond to vibrations set up in awheel in its plane or laterallythereof, either or both, when the wheelis rotated on its support, due to an unbalanced condition of the wheel.

A further obiect of the invention is to provide an improved machinecapable of demonstrating and/ or testing the running characteristics ofwheels and also capable of supporting a wheel while a tire is beingremoved from'orpositioned on its rim.

u l'lmlis aplanviewofamachlneunliodylnl Other objects o!- the inventionwill be apparent (Cl. IS-.51)

my invention and having "a wheel removably mounted thereon; inthis-embodiment of the in- -vention the removable wheel is intended tobe 1 in section onthe line l-1 of Fig. 8, showing a 16- differentembodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a view on the line 8-8 of Fig. '7. Fig. 9 is a section on theline 9-9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a section on the line l0-lli of Fig. 9.In the drawings, referring particularly to Figs. 20

1, 2 and a, 1 indicates a suitable support which may be a portion of astandard or a portion of a wall structure. 2 indicates a base memberfixedvto the support by bolts 20, the base member preferably being angleshaped so that one side wall may be bolted to the support I and itsother side wall 2b may have connected to it the parts or elements of themachine to be referred to. The machine is constructed to removablysupport a wheel'in such manner that anyunbalanced condition in thewheel, circumferentlally of its axis, is responded to by the elements ofthe machine and permits the wheel when rotated to vibrate in its planeor laterally thereof, in either or both directions, under the influenceof this unbalanced-condition. Accordingly, the elements cooperate toyieldably support the spindle for the wheel in a predetermined position,so that if the wheel is in a balanced condition, the wheel when rotated,will remain in such 40 position, but permit the wheel to vibrate in adirection at rightv angles to the wheel axis and about a pivot .at rightangles to the wheel axis; the pivot being preferably arranged at oneside of the wheel to approximate'the mounting of a steerable wheel for avehicle and to thereby make demonstrations under like conditions. Theelements of the machine comprise the fol- 1 lowing: 3 indicates aconnector pivoted at its inner end at 3.: to the side wall 2b andpivotally connected at its outer endto the inner end of a spindlesupporting member 4. 5 indicates a bracket fixed at its inner end to theside wall 2b and connected by a universal Joint la to the outer end ofthe spindle supporting member B; as

The joint 4a may consist of an annular device connected by a pin 4bloosely extending through the device in, at right angles to the member4, and threaded into the adjacent end of the bracket 5 and a pin 4cfixed to the side of the device 40 and fitting into a longitudinalhrextending opening formed in the outer end of the member 4, the free endof the pin 30 being loosely or thrust element 8 extends through andslidably and pivotally fits an opening formed the bracket 5 and isprovided at opposite sides of the bracket 5 but in spaced relationthereto with abutments 9 between each of which and the bracket is acoiled spring III. The abutments 3 preferably comprise nuts threaded onthe link to permit of adjustment therealong to increase or decrease thetension of the springs II. The springs l normally exert anequal tensionon the abutments and hence co-act therethrough, the link 8 and arm I tonormally maintain; the wheel spindle 6 axially of its supporting memevher 3, but permit movement of the spindle about the axis of its knuckleIn in either direction. N, Ila, indicate a pair of springs operativelyconnected at their outer ends to the connector 3, but due to the factthat in this form of construction the outer end of the connector 3 isattached to the top wall of the member 4, the

outer end of the spring "I la is connected to the latter. But as will benoted, the springs Ii, Ila, are disposed, by preference, in the plane ofmovement of the connector and normally co-act in opposed relation tomaintain the latter in a predetermined position but. permit swingingmovements of the connector 3 in eitherdirection about the pivot 31:therefor at its inner end. In the arrangement shown the inner ends ofthe springs ll, Ila, are adiustably connected to the side wall 2b aboveand below the connector 3.

In the construction illustrated themachine is arranged to be mounted ona support and extend laterally therefrom,. thereby leaving the spacebelow the wheel and machine unobstructed, the upper spring ll beingsomewhat stronger than the lower spring Ila to compensate for the weightof the connector 3, member 4, wheel spindle 6 and a wheel I2 on thelatter and other parts of the machine. The adjustable connections forthe inner ends of the springs ll, lid, are similar in construction, eachcomprising a lever l3 fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the side wall2b and having pne end connected to the inner end of the adjacent spring.The opposite end of the lever I3 is formed with a threaded opening toadjustably receive and support a screw M which engages the adjacent sidewall of the base member 2 and accordingly co-acts with the springtension and lever fulcrum to support the lever in a fixed,adjustedposition and connect the spring to the base member 2. with g theelements assembled and arranged as described, the wheel 12 may berotated and if any portion of the wheelis unbalanced it will vibrate asshown in dotted lines in Figs. 1, 2 and, 3.

For demonstration pin'poses, I provide on the wheel l2 a removableweight l which may be slipped over the valve stem for the wheel tire ora pin Ila fixed to the wheel rim.

In the form of construction shown in Figs.

1, 2 and 3, the inner end of the wheel spindle 6 is threaded into anopening'formed in the spindle knuckle 42:, to permit detachment of thespindle and carries at its outer end a handle .IB, so that upon removalof the spindle, it and the wheel l2 may be conveniently held by thehandle and the wheel manually rotated, first with the weight I! removedto demonstrate that the wheel has no vibration and then with the weightattached to demonstrate the forces set 15 up when an unbalanced.condition exists.

Figs. 4, 5 and'6 illustrate a modified form of construction wherein theknuckle 3" for the removable wheel spindle 6 is mounted on knuckles 4:0carried by the outer end of the connector 3 and the arm I connected tothe spindle knuckle 4" is connected by a spring I! to a collar l3adjustably mounted on the connector 3, the spring I 1 serving tonormally maintain the wheel spindle in non-vibrating Position butpermitting it to swing in either direction 'aboutthe axis of theknuckles.

Figs.- 7, 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a diiferent embodiment of theinvention, capable of removably mounting a vehicle wheeLand providedwith a driving means for the wheel spindle and. locking means forholding the wheel in fixed positions, whereby a tire may be removed fromor positioned on the wheel rim. This embodiment does not differ in itsmode of operation to demonstrate the balanced or unbalanced conditionand rotating characteristics of a wheel from the embodiments shown inFigs. 1 tot, inclusive, but its elements are constructedto support andwithstand the vibrations of a complete vehicle wheel of the type shownand any parts assembled thereon, as well as towithstand the forcesnecessary to remove fromor position a tire on the wheel rim. In thisembodiment, 2' indicates a base member preferably bolted to a suitablesupport I'. I3 indicates .a fitting secured to the base member 2 by abolt I9a and provided with projecting lugs 2ll,in spaced relation forsupporting a pin 2|, which forms the pivot for the inner vend of aconnector 3'. The outer end of the connector-3' is bifurcated, as shownat 3a. The free ends of the bifurcations terminate in hollow bosses 3bthrough which loosely extend bolts 22, the inner ends of the boltsbeingscrewed into threaded openings formed in a sleeve 23. The sleeve 23is provided with suitable bearings for the inner end of a spindle orshaft 23 which extends outwardly beyond the sleeve, the outer end of theshaft being arranged to support a wheel, indicated as an entirety at l2,which is to be tested or to have its tire removed. 4' indicates asupporting member having a bifurcated outer end.. The free ends ofthebifurcations terminate in hollow bosses: 25 through which the pins 22loosely extend, the bosses 25 being disposed on the inner sides of thebosses 3b. The

.pins 22 serve to swingably support the sleeve 23 and parts carriedthereby on the bifurcated ends of the connector 3' and supporting member0.; The outer end of the supporting member is connected by a universaljoint 26 to the outer end of a bracket 5', the inner end of the latterbeing suitably bolted to the base member 2'. The joint 23 is similarin'construction to the universal Joint previously described, except" endof the supporting member 4' is held in connectedrelation thereto by aspring 260' (see Fig. 9). ll, Ila, indicate springs cooperative- 'lyrelated to normally maintain the connector- 3' and inner end of the Prting member 4' and the shaft 24 (together thother parts associatedtherewith) in a predetermined position. The spring, Ila is adjustabiyconnected to the base member 2" similarly to that described with respectto the springs Ii, Ho, and the spring -li' may also, if desired beadlustably connected in the same manner, but is shown connected to ascrew 21 extended through an integral extension of the base member 2 andadjustably ehgaged by a thumb nut 210. As will be understood the springii is strongerthan the spring ila'. The sleeve is provided with'an arm Ito which one end of 'a spring 28 is connected.

The opposite end of the spring is connected'to a screw 29 which passesthrough an opening formed .in a lug 29a projecting from the connector 3,

'the-screw. being provided f with a nut 30 which engages the lug tosecure the screw in adjusted position. The arm I'- may .consist ofv aneyeboit threaded at its inner end into the sleeve 23. As will beunderstood the spring 28 serves to norlnally maintain the sleeve 23 andaxle 24 in mid position'but permits these parts to swing in either p.direction about the axis of the pins 22.

The wheel i2 is mounted on the shaft 24 between spaced .cones 3i, 3la,the latter being clamped'against the outer wheel bearing by a spacer 32,engaged by a nut 33 which isthreaded l on the-free end of the shaft, Theinner cone 3| abuts against a collar 34 keyed or otherwise secured tothe shaft.- The collar 341s externally threaded to mount a threaded ringnut 35, which L may be rotated on the collar 34 and tightened u againstthe hub l2a of the wheel i2' as shown inFig. 9 and thus secure the wheelto the shaft. Although the wheel'may be rotated manually when mounted'asshown, I prefer to provide power means, indicated as an entirety at 36,for rotating the shaft, whereby it may be speeded up and rotated at theapproximate speeds of the wheel when in use. Of these power means, 31 gindicates an electric motor suitably bolted to a pad ;33 formedintegrally on the lower. side of the a supporting member 4,. Theshaft'3'la of the motor 31 is extended forwardly and connected by auniversal joint 39, the axis of whichis in alinement with the axis ofthe pins 22, to a shaft "provided-with apower element, such as a spulley 4|. The shaft 40 is rotatably supported in the lateral portion ofa disk 42 formed 'integrally with the outer end of the sleeve 23: Thepulley 4i is engaged by an endless belt 43 which eng es with and drivesa pulley 44, which forms the outer element of an over-rimningclutch 45,the inner element of which is suitably fixed to the shaft24. J 1 Themachineherein described may be uscdfor supporting the wheel l2'-whileremoving e a tire therefrom-or podtioning a tire on the wheel, themachine being advantageous for these operations since the wheel issupported in vertical'pcsitionf and provision is. made for holding thewheel against rotation in diflerentangular 0 positions. For carrying outthese operations I provide a rod 43' which .is pivo d. at its innersend4)n8h0ILQil mounted in sing 43b carried by the base member v suals at;its outer end with a hook 41 arranged to removablyemle an I eye-43provided on the -3',-;snd-*when tion relates many changes inconstruction and 4 3 connected to the eye 48 as shown in Figs. '1 and 9,

the connector 3' and supporting member 4' are held against movement. Toprevent rotation of theshaft 34, I provide thereon a plate 49 formed onits periphery with one or more notches 50 .into

a any one of which may be positioned a locking element ll carried by thedisk 42. The locking element ii may consist of a detent pivoted on thedisk 42 and adapted to be swung into the position shown in dotted linesin Fig. 9, to permit rotation of the shaft 24. I have shown four notchesin the locking plate 48 (see Fig. l0),- so that the wheel l2 may berotated to and locked against rotation at four diflerent angularpositions.

To those skilled in the art to which my invenwidely differingembodiments and'applications of the invention will be apparent withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. My disclosures andthe description herein are purely illustrative and. are not intended tobe in any sense limiting. 1 I -WhatIclaim is:

1. In a machine of the class described. the combination of a support, aconnector pivotally mounted thereon atone end; means on the outer endportion of said connector for supporting a spindle adapted to rotatablysupport a member, to swing about an axis at right angles to the axis .ofthe spindle, springs engaging said connector and normally co-acting inopposed relation to yieldingly' maintain said connector in apredetermined position, and spring means connected to said supportingmeans for yieldingly maintaining said spindle in a predeterminedposition.

2. In a machine of the class described, the com-- bination of a support,a connectorv pivotally thereon at one end, a fitting pivotally mountedon the outer end of said connector, a spindle removably mounted on saidfitting and adapted to rotatably support a member, springs engaging saidconnector and normally co-acting in opposed relation to yieldinglymaintain said connector in 1 a predetermined position, and spring meansconnected to said fitting for yieldingly maintaining 8 it in apredetermined position.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a support, aconnector pivotally mounted thereon at one end, a supporting devicepivotaliy mounted on the outer end portion of said so connector, aspindle mounted at one end on said device and adapted to support amember, springs engaging said connector and normally co-acting inopposed relation to yieldingly maintain said connector in apredetermined position, and re- 'silient means connected to said device{or yieldingly maintaining it in a predetermined position. 4. .A machineas claimed in claim 3 in which power means are provided for rotatingsaid spindle. a

5. A machine as claimed in claim 3 in which power means are provided,for rotating said 'spindleythe-power means being operatively'com'nected-to the spindle by an over-running clutch.

f6. A machine as claimed in'claim 8 in which 66 means are provided forlocking the connector against movement and to; locking the spindleagainst rotation. v

"I. In a machine or the class described, thecombination ofa support, aconnector 'pivotaliy 70 I mounted. thereon at one endto swing in apredetermined plane, a device pivotslly mounted on the outer end portionoi ssidconnector to swing inaplaneatrightsnglestotheplaneofmovementof-sai'd connectma 4 1 device and adapted tcremovably support awheel,11. In a machine of the class described. the means for removablysecuring a wheel to said combination of a support, aconnector pivotallyspindle, springs engaging said connector and normounted thereon at oneend, a supporting mem-' mally co-acting in opposed relation toyieldingly ber pivotally connected to the opposite end oi said 5maintain said connector inaposition intermediate connector and disposedat substantially right 5 its limits oi swinging movement, and resilientangles to the plane in which the connector swings. means connected tosaid device for yieldingly' means on one end portion of said supportingmaintaining it in a predetermined position. member for swingablysupporting a spindle on 8. A machine as claimed in claim 7 in whichwhich a wheel may be mounted for rotation,- a

" 0 means are provided for rotating said spindle. bracket on said suport, a universal joint con-,

9. In a machine or the class described, the oommotion between saibracket and the opposite bination of a support, a connector pivotallyend, portion of said supporting member, springs mounted thereon at oneend, a bracket fixed to normally tending to maintain said connector insaid support, a supporting member pivotally supa predetermined position,and a spring operated ported at its opposite ends on the outer endmechanism normally tending to maintain that portion of said connectorand said bracket, a element of said spindle supportingmeanstowhichspindle knuckle mounted at one. end on the the spindle isconnected'axially of said supportouter end of said member and adapted toroing member. tatably support a wheel, springs engaging said 12. In a,machine of the-class described, the an connector and co-acting inopposed relation to combination of a support, a pair of elementsexnormally maintain said connector in a predetending therefrom, oneoi'saidelements'being termined position, said spindle haying an arm,rigidly mounted on said support and the other a thrust element connectedat one end to said element being pivoted to said support, a member I amand movably mounted at its outer end portion pivotally connected at itsopposite end portions '35 onv said bracket, and springs operativelyconto the. outer ends of said elements; a knuckle nected to said elementand said bracket and armounted on that end of said member adjacentranged to co-act in opposed relation to normally said pivoted element,said knucklebeing adapted maintain said armin a'predetermined position.to support a spindle on which a wheel maybe 10. In a machine of theclass described, the mounted for rotatiomspring's between said sup- 80combination of a support, a connector pivotallyport and said pivotedelement in opposed relation mounted thereon at one end, ade'vicepivotally to yieldingly maintain said element in a predemounted on theouter end oi said connector, a termined position, an. arm extending fromsaid I spindle removably connected at one-end to said knuckle, a thrustelement connected to said arm,

device and adapted to rotatably support a'wheel, and springsoperativelyconnected to said thrust :5 ahandle on the opposite end-oisaid spindle, reelement and one of saidflrst mentioned elements, 5silient means normally tending to maintain said andarranged to co-act inopposed relation to I connector in a predetermined position but permitnormally maintain said arm in a predetermined it to swing about itspivot in either direction, and position. resilient means operativelyconnected to said desome and normally tending to maintain it in a apredetermined po'sitiombut permit said device to #1 swing about itspivot in either direction.

